BOTTOMLESS-CUP TYPE WATER POWER CONVERSION DEVICE UTILIZING FLOWING WATER ENERGY

Abstract

An underwater device for water power conversion includes multiple cups, each cup constituted by a bottomless cup member and a bottom plate fitted pivotally in a freely rotatable manner, wherein the bottomless cup member blocks flowing water in a standing state and makes flowing water pass through in a lying down state, generating flowing water resistance difference between the two states. The cups are installed in a continuous member of a waterwheel submerged in flowing water so that the cup stands in a forward advance path and lies down in a reverse advance path. A water blocking plate is also provided in the reverse advance path so as to utilize centrifugal force to turn the bottomless cup member from the lying down state to the standing state, thereby making the cup turn or circulate continuously in flowing water.

Claims

1. An underwater device for water power conversion, comprising: (A) multiple cups, each cup divided into two parts composed of: (i) a bottomless cup member, which is formed by a concaved, curved water-receiving plate and two side plates each having a shape including a vertex having a right angle and not being attached to the water-receiving plate, and (ii) a bottom plate for closing an open bottom of the bottomless cup member, wherein the two parts are fitted pivotally using a pivot at the vertices of the bottomless cup member in a freely rotatable manner, so that the bottomless cup member can have two positioning states relative to the bottom plate by turning of the bottomless cup member around the pivot at the vertex thereof: (1) a standing state where the bottomless cup member stands on the bottom plate and fits with the bottom plate, closing the open bottom of the bottomless cup member, and (2) a lying down state where the bottomless cup member lays down on a same plane as the bottom plate being pivotally away from the bottom plate, wherein the bottomless cup member and the bottom plate block flowing water in the standing state, and the bottomless cup member and the bottom plate make the flowing water pass through the open bottom in the lying down state; (B) a uniaxial waterwheel or an endless chain waterwheel, wherein the bottom plates of the multiple cups are secured on an outer wheel of the uniaxial waterwheel or a continuous belt of the endless chain waterwheel which is tensioned around front and rear rotating wheels thereof, in a manner in which the multiple cups face in a same circumferential direction, and a center of gravity of each bottomless cup member is outwardly away from the pivot, wherein the uniaxial waterwheel or an endless chain waterwheel is fully submerged as a fixture in flowing water in a direction of generating substantial flowing water resistance difference between the standing state and the lying down state of the cups, wherein each cup functions as a water-receiving cup having high flowing water resistance in the standing state where the outer wheel or the continuous belt advances in a same direction as a direction of flowing water in an advancing path, whereas the each cup has low flowing water resistance in the lying down state where the outer wheel or the continuous belt advances in a reverse direction to the direction of flowing water in a reverse advancing path, thereby creating force to rotate or circulate the outer wheel or the continuous belt by a resistance difference between the standing state and the lying down state, wherein the revere advancing path is above the advancing path; and (C) a water-blocking plate for forming a stagnant water area in the reverse advancing path, said water-blocking plate being provided on an upstream side on which the bottomless cup member goes into the lying down state, and the bottomless cup member goes into the standing state by uprising outwardly due to centrifugal force in an area other than the stagnant water area, thereby making the outer wheel or the continuous belt rotate or circulate continuously in flowing water, wherein a lower end of the water-blocking plate extends downwards to a height slightly lower than a point where a rotating axis of the outer wheel or the continuous belt, the pivot of the cup moving from the reverse advancing path to the advancing path, and the center of gravity of the bottomless cup member of the cup are aligned as viewed in a direction of the rotating axis.

2. A water power conversion method using a water power conversion device comprising: (A) multiple cups, each cup divided into two parts composed of: (i) a bottomless cup member, which is formed by a concaved, curved water-receiving plate and two side plates each having a shape including a vertex having a right angle and not being attached to the water-receiving plate, and (ii) a bottom plate for closing an open bottom of the bottomless cup member, wherein the two parts are fitted pivotally using a pivot at the vertices of the bottomless cup member in a freely rotatable manner, so that the bottomless cup member can have two positioning states relative to the bottom plate by turning of the bottomless cup member around the pivot at the vertex thereof: (1) a standing state where the bottomless cup member stands on the bottom plate and fits with the bottom plate, closing the open bottom of the bottomless cup member, and (2) a lying down state where the bottomless cup member lays down on a same plane as the bottom plate being pivotally away from the bottom plate, wherein the bottomless cup member and the bottom plate block flowing water in the standing state, and the bottomless cup member and the bottom plate make the flowing water pass through the open bottom in the lying down state, (B) a uniaxial waterwheel or an endless chain waterwheel, wherein the bottom plates of the multiple cups are secured on an outer wheel of the uniaxial waterwheel or a continuous belt of the endless chain waterwheel which is tensioned around front and rear rotating wheels thereof, in a manner in which the multiple cups face in a same circumferential direction, and a center of gravity of each bottomless cup member is outwardly away from the pivot, said method comprising: providing a uniaxial waterwheel or an endless chain waterwheel equipped with the water power conversion device; fully submerging the uniaxial waterwheel or an endless chain waterwheel as a fixture in flowing water in a direction of generating substantial flowing water resistance difference between the standing state and the lying down state of the bottomless cup members, wherein each cup functions as a water-receiving cup having high flowing water resistance in the standing state where the outer wheel or the continuous belt advances in a same direction as a direction of flowing water in an advancing path, whereas the each cup has low flowing water resistance in the lying down state where the outer wheel or the continuous belt advances in a reverse direction to the direction of flowing water in a reverse advancing path, thereby creating force to rotate or circulate the outer wheel or the continuous belt by a resistance difference between the standing state and the lying down state, wherein the revere advancing path is above the advancing path; forming a stagnant water area in the reverse advancing path by providing a water-blocking plate on an upstream side on which the bottomless cup member goes into the lying down state, and the bottomless cup member goes into the standing state by extending outwardly due to centrifugal force in an area other than the stagnant water area, wherein a lower end of the water-blocking plate extends downwards to a height slightly lower than a point where a rotating axis of the outer wheel or the continuous belt, the pivot of the cup moving from the reverse advancing path to the advancing path, and the center of gravity of the bottomless cup member of the cup are aligned as viewed in a direction of the rotating axis; thereby making the outer wheel or the continuous belt rotate or circulate continuously in flowing water to generate mechanical force; and converting the mechanical force to electric power.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0146] FIG. 1 Drawing explaining the operating principles of a bottomless-cup type underwater waterwheel.

[0147] FIG. 2 General structure drawing of a bottomless-cup type continuous belt.

[0148] FIG. 3 Overview of a drag-type continuous belt installed at the bottom of water.

[0149] FIG. 4 Partial section drawing of a drag-type continuous belt secured and seated in a floating state.

[0150] FIG. 5 Structure drawing of a long device whose continuous belt is coupled in a floating state.

[0151] FIG. 6 Section drawing of a continuous belt device utilizing approach and return flows.

[0152] FIG. 7 Section drawing of a continuous belt device utilizing wave current flow.

[0153] FIG. 8 Section drawing of a partially submerged platform and pressure water conduit.

[0154] FIG. 9 Pressure-type power conversion device utilizing the viscous pressure resistance at the back of the device.

[0155] FIG. 10 Pressure-type power conversion device having a streamlined shape and utilizing high-speed outside flows.

[0156] FIG. 11 Cutout drawing showing how bypassing is prevented by the curved lead wheel surface and water flowing in at high speed.

[0157] FIG. 12 Example of continuous belt structure of pressure pipe method.

DESCRIPTION OF THE SYMBOLS

[0158] 5=Pivot

[0159] 6c=Center of gravity of bottomless cup

[0160] 7=Bottom plate

[0161] 8=Water-blocking plate

[0162] 17a=Forward advance path

[0163] 17b=Reverse advance path

[0164] 20=Center body

[0165] 21=Escape wheel

[0166] 25=(Speed) conversion gear

[0167] 26=Common shaft

[0168] 27=One-way clutch

[0169] 43=Driving gear

[0170] 44=Pressure water conduit (forward advance path)

[0171] 48=Sheet-shaped lead wheel

[0172] 24=Tensioner

[0173] 64=High-speed side flow

[0174] 70=Partially submerged platform

[0175] 89=Coaster

[0176] 49=Sheet-shaped belt

[0177] 59=Pressure-receiving member

[0178] 96=Boundary layer

[0179] 97=Floating-type two-level flap

[0180] 98=Louver door (slit) arm

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0181] A water power conversion device of uniaxial waterwheel type pertaining to the present invention is shown in FIG. 1.

[0182] Since an underwater waterwheel 1 is of drag type, a rotational shaft 1a is placed at right angles to flowing water in order to simultaneously create a forward advance path for turning in the same direction as flowing water and a reverse advance path for turning in the opposite direction, where the waterwheel turns as a result of the drag difference between the two.

[0183] In the example in FIG. 1, the underwater waterwheel 1 is installed below a water surface 4.

[0184] A support column 3 is erected on a bottom face 2 and the underwater waterwheel is installed thereon.

[0185] The water-receiving cup provided on an outer wheel 1c of the underwater waterwheel 1 is divided on one hand into a bottomless cup 6 integrally formed by a pressure-receiving plate 6a that receives flowing water and by a side plate 6b on both sides, and into a bottom plate 7 (7a, 7b) on the other, as shown in FIG. 2, with the bottomless cup 6 and bottom plate 7 placed in a freely rotatable manner on a pivot 5 penetrating the two, where the included angle formed by the bottom face of the bottomless cup 6 and the bottom plate 7 can be opened or closed as desired and also sealed to stop water, while the bottom plate 7 is secured on the outer wheel 1c in such a way that, in the forward advance path, the bottomless cup 6 receives flowing water and seals the included angle to stand 6e on the outer wheel 1c while pressing the bottom plate 7 and thus stopping water to demonstrate high flowing water resistance equivalent to what can be achieved with a bottomed cup, whereas, in the reverse advance path, it receives flowing water and turns around the pivot 5 to lie down 6f on the outer wheel 1c so that the included angle opens wide and the flowing water passes on the inner side and outer side of the bottomless cup 6 to make the flowing water resistance virtually zero, which results in a very large resistance difference

[0186] It should be noted that the drag of the pressure-receiving plate 6a placed in flowing water at right angles to the flowing water is calculated by the equation “Drag=Coefficient of drag×Flow velocity×Projected area,” meaning that the drag-type waterwheel works as flowing water hits the waterwheel directly.

[0187] Consider the fact that a water-blocking plate 8 is provided outside the underwater waterwheel 1 to form a stagnant water area 9 where flowing water is blocked and therefore while turning for approx. three right angles from the reverse advance path to the forward advance path the bottomless cup 6 receives centrifugal force and its center of gravity 6c comes on a line connecting the waterwheel rotational shaft 1a and the pivot 5, thereby causing the pressure-receiving plate 6a to extend outward and become half-open 6g and continue turning in this condition; because of this, and also according to FIGS. 1 and 2, by keeping the bottomless cup 6 at the height of the water-blocking plate 8 and thereby blocking water until it comes the position where the next inflow water jet hits the inner surface of the pressure-receiving plate 6a, the bottomless cup 6 will subsequently stand 6e due to the flowing water force and gravity fall, to end the automatic turning.

[0188] It should be noted that the turning from the standing state 6e to the lying down state 6f, which spans approx. one right angle only, is natural in accordance with flowing water.

[0189] This allows for automatic turning of the underwater waterwheel 1 whose rotational shaft 1a is placed at right angles to the direction of flow, wherein such underwater waterwheel is characterized in that it turns automatically and continuously in a fully submerged state, while the resistance difference between the standing state 6e and lying down state 6f is maximized, and the bottomless cup 6 and bottom plate 7 are separated and the included angle between the two is opened or closed by means of uniaxial rotation.

[0190] A continuous-belt type water power conversion device comprised of an endless chain is shown in FIG. 2.

[0191] While the bottom plate 7 of the underwater waterwheel 1 is fixed to the outer wheel 1c, in FIG. 2 the bottom plate is fixed to the continuous belt of endless chain so that the bottomless cup 6 circulates on the path surface while maintaining its function with respect to the bottom plate 7.

[0192] To be specific, new slave shafts 10 are added at equal intervals in parallel with the pivots 5, together with shaft links 11 (11a to 11c) that link the shafts in a freely rotatable manner, to form a continuous belt covering the entire circumference of a path surface 18 on the top face of a framework 19.

[0193] A band-shaped bottom plate 12 is internally secured to the shaft links 11 connecting each pivot 5 and the slave shaft 10 forward of it, while the bottomless cup 6 is installed on the pivot 5, so the band-shaped bottom plate 12 and the bottom face of the bottomless cup 6 form an included angle around the pivot 5 and circulates accordingly while performing the function described in connection with the underwater waterwheel mentioned above.

[0194] The band-shaped bottom plate 12 has the performance of the hard bottom plate 7b and that of the elastic bottom plate 7a as the bottom side of the former is connected to the top side of the latter, to achieve greater adhesion with the bottom face and, to allow for easy replacement, the shaft link is provided as either a cutout link 11b or meshing link 11c.

[0195] Similarly, a band-shaped hard plate 12b for blocking water is internally secured to the shaft links 11 connecting each pivot 5 and the slave shaft 10 rearward of it, to allow for adoption of the water lubrication method, where the shaft link is provided as an all-around link 11a.

[0196] It should be noted that elastic strips 13 may be attached to the base of the bottomless cup to turn all band-shaped bottom plates 12 into band-shaped hard plates of the same type.

[0197] In addition, the angle and curvature of the pressure-receiving plate 6a are changed, while the center position of flowing water pressure is moved up and down, so that the bottomless cup circulates while applying appropriate pressure to the bottom plate through its bottom face.

[0198] At the same time, small wheels 15 are uniformly distributed and installed on the pivots 5 and slave shafts 10 to make sure uniform support forces are applied, in order to prevent the band-shaped bottom plates 12 from warping and leaking water.

[0199] It should be noted that, if the entire path surface 18 is under water, the water lubrication method utilizing spring plates and lubrication plates (not illustrated) can be used to minimize the friction resistance.

[0200] As for the shape of the bottomless cup 6, the width, height and bottom area of the pressure-receiving plate 6 are determined according to the target energy value to be achieved, and although this cup can be easily fabricated regardless of its shape, choosing a metal material provides greater advantage than using a complex, expensive wing wheels, because such material can be processed easily using a bender.

[0201] Moreover, since the fabrication cost of the continuous belt can be reduced when made as light and wide as possible, the pressure-receiving plate 6a has a vertical rib 14 to reduce weight, while the continuous belt has a lightweight construction so that it circulates nimbly.

[0202] In the example of FIG. 12, the structure of a continuous-belt type water power conversion device having a pressure-receiving member 59 provided inside a pressure pipe 104 is shown.

[0203] The pressure-receiving member 59 moves in a manner blocking the forward advance path of water flow comprised of the pressure pipe 104, and after passing through the pressure pipe 104, the pressure-receiving member rotates around a pivot 109 as indicated by 59B in FIG. 12 to lie down and circulate.

[0204] A pressure-receiving member 59A is of enough size and shape to block the interior section of the pressure pipe 104 in the standing state, and functions as a blocking plate.

[0205] The continuous belt is a sheet-shaped circulating belt 112 to seal between the top and bottom spaces on the lower side of the pressure pipe, and the sheet-shaped belt 112 is lubricated by water against a path surface 111 on which it circulates.

[0206] In addition, coasters 107, each made of a disc shape partially cut in an arc shape 107a, are articulated on projected parts 105 of the shafts that are positioned in a manner penetrating the sheet-shaped belt 112 in the width direction, to allow for circulation.

[0207] It should be noted that the circulating part may be constructed with escape wheel shafts just like in FIG. 3, or with general roller shafts.

[0208] The coaster 107 slides along a water-blocking path 108 to block water so that the interior of the pressure pipe is sealed.

[0209] In addition, the reverse advance path of the pressure-receiving member 59, which serves as the blocking plate, can be a sealed water conduit.

[0210] In the example shown in FIG. 3, the endless chain waterwheel is installed on the support columns 3 erected from a securing base 28 at the bottom of water.

[0211] Flowing water pressure is received by the pressure-receiving plate 6a of the standing bottomless cup to generate water power according to the area of the pressure-receiving plate 6a, and a continuous belt 17 is set in translational motion and circulated along the path surface 18 on a center body 20, and consequently the projecting parts of the pivot 5 and slave shaft 10 as shown in FIG. 2 of the continuous belt 17 mesh with the sprockets of escape wheels 21a, 21b installed on a penetrating shaft 37 of the center body 20 to turn the escape wheels 21 so that shaft driving force is generated on a driving gear 43 installed coaxially on the escape wheels 21, and as this torque is applied to a driven common shaft 26 to change the amount of angular movement of the common shaft 26, the flowing water energy is converted to rotational force (refer to FIG. 4).

[0212] FIG. 4 is an example of a floating drag-type continuous belt, where the space inside the center body and the ability to operate in a seated position at low water level make this configuration effective in intertidal zone or low-tide rivers subject to a large tidal difference.

[0213] The continuous belt divides the path into the forward advance path and reverse advance path 33 and their lengths are adjustable, and the ratio of the two lengths can be changed by forming an inclined surface.

[0214] Also, the structure for meshing the sprockets of the escape wheels 21 (21a, 21b) with the projected parts of the pivot 5 and slave shaft 10 is simple and has ample margins, so floating contaminants, seaweeds, etc., do not get tangled easily and tangled objects separate quickly, and as with the operating principles of the underwater waterwheel, this type also starts automatically and completes turning only by means of flowing water, so breakdown does not occur easily even when turning at high speed.

[0215] In FIG. 5, the center body 20 on which the continuous belt 17 circulates is a box body comprising the path surface 18 running all around and two side faces, where two escape wheel shafts 42 are passed through the interior of the center body 20 and supported by the bearings provided on the vertical bulkheads located outward of both ends of the shafts, with the escape wheels 21 installed on both side faces of the center body 20, and because the escape wheels 21 are installed at the same angle at both the left end and right end of the same penetrating shaft 42, meshing of the escape wheels with the projecting shafts at both ends of the continuous belt 17 on the path surface 18 causes equivalent forces to be transmitted on the left and right to prevent warping of the continuous belt 17 and minimize accidents.

[0216] In FIG. 5, the weight of the center body 20 and continuous belt 17 must be supported before the continuous belt 17 can circulate up and down all around 18, and also to prevent the penetrating shaft 42 from receiving excessive load, the space between the side face of the box body and the penetrating shaft or common shaft is sealed with bearings or fixed pipes so that underwater buoyancy is exerted by the interior volume of the box body constituting the center body 20 and that the total underwater weight of the center body 20 and continuous belt 17 becomes roughly zero.

[0217] In FIG. 3, a third shaft is provided in addition to the driving wheel 21a and slave wheel 21b of the escape wheel 21, at a position to the rear of the water-blocking plate 8 and in a manner penetrating the center body 20, and a small-diameter lead wheel 23 is installed, and when the continuous belt 17 is circulated, the curvature becomes small and the angular velocity of rotation becomes large at the applicable position, and consequently large centrifugal force is applied to the center of gravity 6c of the bottomless cup, and the half-open 6g pressure-receiving plate 6a of the cup opens further outward to increase the turning force amplification effect.

[0218] In addition, providing the small lead wheel 23 for use in the turning of the cup makes it possible to also reduce the size of the water-blocking plate 8, which widens the space between the small lead wheel 23 on the third shaft and the driving wheel 21a of the escape wheel to form an inclined advance path 17c.

[0219] This means that, even when the flow velocity is weak and the centrifugal force due to the small lead wheel is low, the bottomless cup turns in a manner dropping downward in the stagnant water area created by the water-blocking plate while being supported at its center of gravity on the pivot, and then enters a next forward advance path 17a after fully completing its turning, so the problems associated with the biaxial parallel layout are eliminated.

[0220] In addition, because the area of contact between the inflow water and cup increases or additional flow generates along the inclined surface due to the Coanda effect, the water-receiving effect with respect to the cup under the open method improves significantly compared to the biaxial parallel method.

[0221] In FIG. 4, providing the small lead wheel allows for size reduction of the water-blocking plate 8 and formation of a casing integrated with the main body.

[0222] So, this casing is made cylindrical and the small lead wheel 23 and continuous belt are turned inside the casing, where the casing is formed with an inner diameter smaller than the outer diameter of the free centrifugal turning of the bottomless cup and the exterior surface of the pressure-receiving plate 6a is pressed by the interior wall surface 30 of the casing to retard backward the position of the center of gravity 6c of the cup, and when the cup is turned in this condition and passes a roller 31 before the casing outlet, the pressure is released all at once and the cup receives double angular velocities including the angular velocity of rotation of the lead wheel 23 and the angular velocity around the pivot 5, and consequently more centrifugal turning force is applied to the center of gravity 6c of the cup and the pressure-receiving plate 6a opens wide, and because the inflow water jet hits the inner surface of the pressure-receiving plate 6a to cause the cup to turn, strong turning force is generated even when the circulating velocity is low.

[0223] In addition, no installation work is necessary because the external water-blocking plate is integrally connected to the main body.

[0224] In FIG. 4, a tensioner 24 is provided for the lead wheel 23 in its proximity to make the two as a set and the continuous belt 17 circulating around the lead wheel 23 is strongly pulled with the tensioner 24 to be forcibly spooled around the lead wheel 23 at large angles, so that inflow water jet hits the inner surface of the pressure-receiving plate 6a of the bottomless cup, and the cup is turned by the flowing water pressure thereafter.

[0225] Also, as shown in FIG. 3, making the inclined advance path 17c inclined in the opposite direction adds the gravitational falling force to complete the turning, meaning that the bottomless cup 6 is turned reliably without relying on centrifugal force or flow velocity.

[0226] In FIG. 5, a number of self-floating continuous belt devices are arranged in parallel in a floating state and secured with continuing pipes 40 to construct a long device, with each device generating water power and transmitting it to the common shaft 26 to generate large torque on the common shaft 26.

[0227] To be specific, a large volume of inflow water is used to ensure the necessary amount of energy to obtain power generating capacity, because natural energy generally has sparse energy density, where the theoretical power generation volume P is P=pQV.sup.2/2 (W), proportional to the inflow water volume Q (m.sup.3) and flow velocity V (m/t).

[0228] Under the present application for patent, a roof-shaped float body having sufficient buoyancy due to its top plate and upper roof plate can be formed and this roof-shaped floating body is placed on top, a floor plate of normal specific gravity at the bottom, and a center body with zero underwater weight at the center, with all these sandwiched between vertical bulkheads on both sides and secured with U-bolts and high-tensile fiber tie-bands.

[0229] A one-way clutch 27 is provided so that, when the flow velocity decreases but while the rotational speed after acceleration at the gear ratio of a conversion gear 25 shown in FIG. 4 is still lower than the rotational speed of the common shaft 26, the common shaft 26 is slipped by the clutch to cut off the transmission so as not to supply the rotational force of the common shaft in the opposite direction.

[0230] Particularly with the common shaft 26 of a long device subject to fluctuating wave phase difference and flow direction, any component that weakens the rotation of the common shaft 26 is removed by the one-way clutch 27.

[0231] To be specific, when transmitting the torque of the driving gear (A) 43 to the common shaft (C) 26 by accelerating its speed with the conversion gear (B) 25, the gear ratio G calculated by “G=Number of output teeth/Number of input teeth,” or nB/nA, is kept lower than 1.0 to raise the number of revolutions and thereby keep the torque transmission ratio low.

[0232] Here, the gears on both sides have the same peripheral velocity v and transmitted torque T at the location where the gears are meshed.

[0233] A power generator shaft (not illustrated) is connected to the common shaft 26 and already turning in the same direction, so when the peripheral velocity vB of the conversion gear 25 after speed change is the same as the peripheral velocity vC of the common shaft 26, as expressed by (vB—vC)=0, then the supplied torque becomes zero; but when the peripheral velocity vB of the conversion gear 25 is greater than the peripheral velocity vC of the common shaft 26, as expressed by (vB—vC)>0, then this differential speed becomes the acceleration α, as expressed by α=d(vB−vC)/dt=|F/r| sin θ, where r represents the turning radius.

[0234] Accordingly, the torque T is supplied to the common shaft as the amount of angular motion L and work that gives a displacement corresponding to the angle of rotation θ is performed, and the common shaft has energy as a result.

[0235] Since the delta torque ΔT until reaching the same peripheral velocity is not transmitted to the common shaft, no force F is applied to the driving gear 43 and the rotational resistance of the escape wheel 21 remains small and light, and therefore the peripheral velocity vD of the continuous belt (D) 17 does not drop.

[0236] In addition, when the differential peripheral velocity is negative, as expressed by (vB−vC)<0, the one-way clutch 27 slips and the supply of delta torque ΔT is cut off, and therefore the peripheral velocity vD of the continuous belt 17 does not drop.

[0237] In other words, the gear ratio is made low where the flow velocity is low and the torque transmission ratio becomes low after torque is applied in an early stage, while the gear ratio is made large where the flow velocity is high and the torque transmission ratio becomes large once torque is applied in a late stage, and this way, the peripheral velocity of the continuous belt is automatically adjusted.

[0238] Accordingly, this gear ratio G is set to an appropriate value according to the flow velocity of the field and the characteristics of the device.

[0239] It should be noted that “one-way clutch” is a general term and an example is shown in FIG. 8, where a driven gear 27b is secured to the common shaft 26 via a key groove 27d, while an input gear 27a remains free from the common shaft 26 and slippable, and the torque of the input gear is supplied in one direction to the driven gear through a keystone 27c.

[0240] A concaved, curved bulkhead 68 in FIG. 5 is an impermeable material and external floating body in which foamed resin moldings are sealed, where high flowing water resistance makes it a hindrance.

[0241] The center body 20 in FIG. 5 is an impermeable material, but the center body 20 in FIG. 8 is made of watertight, lightweight concrete and has free shape.

[0242] The external floating body 36 in FIG. 5 is an impermeable material, but a top plate 51 in FIG. 6 or 7 is made of watertight, lightweight concrete, where, in FIG. 6, low-foamed resin 46c is sealed in watertight, lightweight concrete of low specific gravity and because the specific gravity difference between the two is small, the separation and floating force that applies at the time of anchoring and installation is low to make the sealing work easy.

[0243] Alternately in FIG. 7, large sealed hollow bodies 106 are filled inside and the specific surface areas of large and fine grains decrease in inverse proportion to their diameters, but since the viscosity is high, separation and floating is virtually a non-issue and so long as the materials of the two grains are homogeneous, a product of uniform pressure-resistant strength can be obtained by making sure they have the same apparent specific gravity.

[0244] A floor plate 32 in FIG. 7 is made of watertight, heavy concrete of increased specific gravity, to lower the center of gravity and increase the weight restoration force.

[0245] A partially submerged platform 70 in FIG. 8 is made of watertight, lightweight ferroconcrete.

[0246] Creating a sealed void inside a device carefully constructed with watertight, lightweight concrete materials allows the buoyancy and device to function as one and consequently the underwater buoyancy of the device will remain unchanged virtually forever, and because its center of gravity will also remain unchanged, the mutual positions of the center of floatation and center of gravity of the device, and its strength, will remain unchanged, as well.

[0247] This makes feasible a self-floating device that floats using its own buoyancy and controls its posture with self-restoration force. In FIG. 6, the center body 20 has zero underwater weight as mentioned above, but if made of watertight, lightweight concrete, its buoyancy will remain unchanged forever.

[0248] Similarly, creating a sealed void inside the roof-shaped floating body using an upper roof plate 50 and the top plate 51 allows the floating body to have sufficient buoyancy.

[0249] When marine structures start floating or drifting in water or at water surface, the risk of their colliding with navigating vessels becomes extremely high, so it is of utmost importance to make sure they float to/remain at water surface to be easily detected and collected.

[0250] Accordingly, in FIG. 5, foamed moldings 46a are filled in the voids in the gear chamber, etc., while reactive resin is injected into an interior 46b of the center body 20 and foamed by chemical reaction to fill the space.

[0251] By using this foaming/filling method, and also by filling the space between the upper roof plate 50 and top plate 51 in FIG. 6 with moldings at the time of anchoring and installation, safety will improve.

[0252] As mentioned above, the device under the present application for patent is fabricated in such a way that the roof-shaped floating body is placed on top, the floor plate 32 at the bottom, and the center body 20 at the center, with all these sandwiched between the vertical bulkheads 90 on both sides and secured with the U-bolts 91 and high-tensile fiber tie-bands 92, etc., to construct a unit self-floating device.

[0253] Then, normally a number of these unit devices are arranged in parallel with horizontal through holes 38 opened in the top plate, 51, upper roof plate 50 and floor plate 32 of each of these unit devices, after which the continuing pipes 40 are inserted in the holes to form a long device which is then secured.

[0254] According to this assembly method, the continuing pipes 40 run through the interior of each concrete plate and therefore no projections are formed on the exterior surface, which results in low fluid resistance and this effect becomes particularly clear with a suction-vacuum type device that utilizes side flows at high speed.

[0255] In FIG. 9, there are no obstacles in a water conduit 44 except for the sheet-shaped escape wheels 41 (41a, 41b), so after dragging out the escape wheels in water, a diver can enter the water conduits which are now virtually tunnels, and clean every corner using high-speed water jet and various cleaning methods.

[0256] In FIG. 6, a pair of escape wheels 41c, 41d, a pair of lead wheels 48c, 48d, and a pair of movable water-blocking plates 96a, 96b (hereinafter referred to as “flaps”), are provided at rotationally symmetric positions apart by 180 degrees (hereinafter referred to as “two-fold axis”) on the left and right of the common shaft 26, and the continuous belt is circulated on the hard path surface 18 of the center body 20, where the flaps are actuated by specific gravity difference with the upper flap sinking 96a and lower flap floating 96b, so that they are opened and closed according to the strength and weakness of flowing water.

[0257] In addition, by arranging the parts at rotationally symmetric positions of two-fold axis relative to approach and return flows, the circulating direction of the continuous belt becomes the same as the rotational direction of the common shaft 26.

[0258] Since tidal current comprises long-cycle approach and return flows, a flow inlet 52 and the vertical bulkhead 90 are present both at the front and rear, while a pressure water conduit 44c is also created at the top and also at the bottom to provide two paths, to handle the respective flow directions.

[0259] In other words, the problem of keeping the circulating direction of the continuous belt 17 always the same as the rotational direction of the common shaft 26 relative to the approach and return flows and also keeping the momentum of belt circulation always the same as that of shaft rotation, is resolved by creating a rotationally symmetric layout of 180 degrees (two-fold axis) around the common shaft 26, with a pair of driving gears 43c of sheet-shaped escape wheels 41c, a pair of lead wheels 48c, and a pair of movable water-blocking plates (hereinafter referred to as “flaps”), arranged in symmetric positions, respectively.

[0260] In addition, since the flaps are provided in upper and lower positions and actuated in the opposite directions, specific gravity difference from water is provided and a sinking flap 96a is adopted for the upper and a floating flap 96b for the lower, with both flaps opened and closed according to the strength and weakness of flowing water inside the pressure water conduit.

[0261] In other words, the upper and lower pressure water conduits both assume a state of forward advance path 17a and that of reverse advance path 17b, and the water-blocking plate 8 is needed to turn the bottomless cup as it transitions from the reverse advance path to the forward advance path, but since the flow velocity in the pressure water conduit 44 is virtually zero at this point, the sinking flap 96a and floating flap 96b are both closed by their respective specific gravity differences.

[0262] When the cup is advancing forward, on the other hand, strong flow momentums in the pressure water conduits 44c, 44d cause the flaps to open to allow for complete self-starting.

[0263] In FIG. 7, the flow inlet and sheet-shaped lead wheel 48 (48c, 48d) are provided at the front and also at the rear with an escape wheel 100 at the center, while the water-blocking plates are secured and positioned at rotationally symmetric positions of two-fold axis, and the circulating direction of the continuous belt is adjusted the same as the rotational direction of the common shaft 26.

[0264] Also because tidal current has short wavelengths, torque transmitted from the driving wheel of the large escape wheel 100 is stored in the gear chamber, and the common shaft is positioned below the lower continuous belt path, to follow the wave motion better.

[0265] Accordingly, by eliminating the slave wheel of the escape wheel to shorten the device and also shortening the continuous belt stroke to capture wave flows better, while placing the thick, heavy common shaft at the bottom of the device, a large righting lever will function in conjunction with the buoyancy of the top plate so as to exert weight restoration force.

[0266] In other words, while oscillation of the device must be stopped before the flow energy of wave can be utilized and increasing the vessel length has so far been the only way to do this, it is the other way around and the device is made shorter under the present application for patent, with the device secured in water in order to exert its own weight restoration force.

[0267] Also because the flow direction and intensity of tidal current change frequently, a water-blocking plate 98 (98c, 98d) has the shape of a thick, curved wooden arm (hereinafter referred to as “arm 98”) and adopts the louver door structure (hereinafter referred to as “slit”), and is secured in such a way that the arm shape and slit groove inclination angle are adjusted to allow flowing water in the outside field to be led to the flow inlet easily.

[0268] In other words, the flow of wave is led to the flow inlet without disturbing the rotational motion of wave, but the flow is reflected and kept out of the water conduit 44, while the forward advance flow from the water conduit is passed and discharged to the outside, and because a very large concave part 99 (99c, 99d) is provided so that no discharge resistance will apply, and also because normal wave is short-cycled and carries only a small amount of water, no problem is anticipated.

[0269] Also, the coefficient of effect of the bottomless cup becomes very low when it lies down 6f in the reverse advance path, so even when the surrounding flow velocity is zero in the water conduit 44, the cup circulates with virtually no resistance and the surrounding water remains perched.

[0270] This means that, by making the continuous belt as light and short as possible, the cup will continue to circulate in a lying-down state 6f even when inflow water is cut off, and any energy loss will become very low.

[0271] Accordingly, even when the large-diameter sheet-shaped escape wheel 100 has no one-way clutch and the cup continues to circulate, it will automatically stand 6e due to the next inflow water and accelerate, and continue to turn.

[0272] Since the cup turns in one direction, providing flywheels (not illustrated) will allow it to stand 6e regardless of which side the water flows from, thereby enabling effective acceleration and smooth pulsating rotation, which is advantageous for irregular waves.

[0273] In FIG. 8, a number of devices are linked in parallel to form a long device of specific length, where the partially submerged platform 70 is provided at both ends and continuing pipes 40 running through the long device are connected to support columns 78 provided on the partially submerged platform 70 and secured with fixing parts 84, and mooring parts provided in the lower exterior of the partially submerged platform 70 are used together with mooring ropes and anchors to moor and secure the partially submerged platform 70 in a condition floating in water.

[0274] This means that, by using the support columns 78 provided on the exterior of the partially submerged platform to end the continuing pipes 40 and provide intermediate support, the fluid resistance, wind force and all other external forces that apply to the long device are supported by the partially submerged platforms at both ends, and since the respective unit devices constituting the long device do not receive any external force, all devices can be standard products, which is convenient for mass production.

[0275] Also, by handling the long device as a unit, offshore operations such as towing on water, connecting and installing in water, etc., can be performed safely, quickly and efficiently, thus reducing the cost of engineering and construction works.

[0276] In FIG. 8, the aforementioned partially submerged platform has a partially submerged shell structure with heavy ballasts 74 installed inside with portable ballasts 75 being loaded or unloaded, and if these ballasts are assumed as a heavy battery, transformer or power generator, this platform is equivalent to the partially submerged work barge (platform) 70 that can carry heavy objects at the bottom.

[0277] In FIG. 8, a pressure-resistant submersible shell 71 has a long shape to reduce the flowing water resistance and provides a work space 88 in a partially submerged state and also has self-buoyancy; a thin, long column 72 is for use as an access path for operators and goods and also to provide good wave penetrability to withstand winds and waves, with the part projecting above water having a nighttime warning lamp and radar reflector; a watertight hatch 73 is fully sealed for submersion; and heavy ballasts 74 are provided to exert weight restoration force to allow the platform to stand vertically on its own.

[0278] In addition, while any long device utilizing high-speed side flows is fully submerged in water and thus requires accurate depth adjustment, the column of this device has small cross-section area to reduce the water displacement per meter and also reduce the portable ballasts 75 loaded or unloaded into/out of the submersible shell, and since large water line movement is possible with low weight, the submersion depth of the long device can be adjusted effectively.

[0279] Here, the partially submerged platform comprises the pressure-resistant submersible shell 71 in water and the access way (column 72) projecting above water, and has buoyancy to float on sea surface on its own as well as weight restoration force to remain in an upright position at water surface, where, in a partially submerged state, the platform allows for circulation of air, supply of goods, and movement of personnel, in the submersible shell under calm winds and waves in water and also in the access way projecting above water, which represents the same environment as on land and, unlike with fully submerged structures, an escape route to sea surface is secured at all times.

[0280] Under the present application for patent, a pressure pipe enclosing the forward advance path of the continuous belt or pressure water conduit enclosed by the peripheral constituting materials surrounding the forward advance path is formed, where the section shape of the pipe/conduit is the same as the shape of the standing cup as it circulates along the forward advance path, while the gap between the two is reduced to eliminate water leaks and pressure leaks, so that a pressure water conduit can be formed that makes sure the flowing water pressure is received by the cup and the internal pressure is retained.

[0281] As for the forming of a pressure pipe enclosing the forward advance path 17a of the continuous belt 17 or pressure water conduit enclosed by the peripheral constituting materials surrounding the forward advance path, in FIG. 8 the peripheral constituting materials include the hard path surface 18 of the center body 20, interior surface of the floor plate 32, and left/right vertical bulkheads 90, and therefore the pressure water conduit 44 is such that these constituting materials are sealed against each other to form a water conduit and furthermore water leaks are prevented and pressure leaks are reduced in the space between the conduit and the standing cup as it circulates inside, while the internal pressure is retained to raise the efficiency.

[0282] For this purpose, the escape wheel 41 is shaped like a sheet and caused to slide, at both ends, along the narrow spaces sandwiched between the side walls of the center body 20 and the vertical bulkheads 90.

[0283] Also, Teflon (registered trademark) sheets, etc., may be attached in these spaces to achieve water lubrication (not illustrated).

[0284] In addition, the interior surface of the pressure water conduit is lined with hard mortal, metal or synthetic resin (not illustrated) to prevent wear due to water flows, while all gears are set in a gear chamber 47 partitioned by the vertical bulkhead 90 to cut off pressure, while shutting out contaminants in flowing water.

[0285] By using the pressure water conduit 44 that retains its internal pressure, the pressure difference between the inlet and outlet becomes such that, as the pressure slope is linear inside the pressure water conduit 44, the many standing cups inside receive a uniform differential pressure according to the number of cups and this roughly equal pressure acts effectively on all cups, which allows for utilization of high energy water, even when compressed to high pressure or flowing at high speed, as a large driving force effortlessly, without losses, and safely.

[0286] In addition, nothing is required in the pipe that would become an obstacle, and therefore the maximum efficiency is achieved.

[0287] Accordingly, the pressure water conduit 44 eliminates losses of flowing water energy and covers a wide range of flow velocities from high to low, and because the cup can be made stronger, high torque is generated and the cup size can be reduced to achieve higher performance.

[0288] Since the flowing water energy is equal to the pressure energy, the pressure water conduit 44 is used to make sure the law of energy conservation holds true at the openings on both ends, while the continuous belt is used to convert all of the energy inside to work by dynamic pressure.

[0289] In other words, the following equation is established: W=P×A×V×t

[0290] Now, when P represents the pressure applied to the cup of the continuous belt and V represents the circulating velocity of the belt, then the work per unit time t is expressed by W/t=P×A×V.

[0291] Accordingly, the following relationships hold water: W/t=1/2×ρ×A×(U−V).sup.2=P×A×V

[0292] In addition, the flow velocity in the pipe, represented by V or V′, corresponds to the circulating velocity V or V′ and the discharge velocity V or V′ according to the law of continuity, and when the cup receives a load and the pressure changes to P′ and the circulating velocity changes to V′, then the above relationships also change as follows:

W′/t=1/2×ρ×A×(U−V′).sup.2=P′×A×V′

[0293] In light of this, W and W′ are not the same because the energy of inflow water is used as the energy to push out water against the external pressure (normally zero) at the discharge outlet, indicating that all of the velocity energy of flowing water in the outside field is effectively converted to work.

[0294] This means that, the more the flowing water energy is used for translational movement or torque, the lower the flow velocity in the pipe V′ becomes, which decreases the apparent loss and increases the efficiency.

[0295] While the maximum efficiency of a lift-type waterwheel conforms to the limit of 59.3% according to Betz's law because it adopts the conversion method based on kinetic energy, the pressure-based work conversion method allows for lessening of flow velocity in the pipe to achieve infinitely high efficiency as mentioned above and, for example, a reaction-type Francis waterwheel on land achieves a high efficiency of 90 to 95%.

[0296] Accordingly, a maximum efficiency beyond the limit according to Betz's law can be achieved by the continuous belt method using a pressure water conduit.

[0297] W, calculated by W=K×A×U=K×Q=1/2×ρ×Q×U2 (J/s), is equal to the kinetic energy ratio E and, needless to say, therefore, the kinetic energy becomes the same as the work based on dynamic pressure.

[0298] In FIG. 9, the pressure gradient obtained from the pressures at the inlet and outlet of the pressure water conduit 44, each divided by the distance of the pressure water conduit, is constant and, because this constant pressure gradient is divided into the number of identically shaped cups, an equal pressure difference seems to generate in each cup.

[0299] Accordingly, even when the water has very high energy, the force applied to one cup is small and controllable, and thus can be utilized, because the energy is equally divided into the number of cups in the pipe.

[0300] Also, by using the pressure water conduit 44, the difference between the pressures applied to the openings at both ends of the pipe can be utilized as external pressure energy.

[0301] Under the present application for patent, the negative pressure area generated by boundary layer separation behind a resistance object placed in flowing water is connected, via a pressure pipe, to the front face of the resistance object, so that the flowing water energy between the two ends of the pressure pipe can be increased by the negative pressure in the separation area which is added to the dynamic water pressure.

[0302] In FIG. 9, a negative pressure area 56 is generated behind a resistance object 58 placed in flowing water as a result of formation of discontinuous surface due to viscosity-triggered boundary layer separation.

[0303] Additionally, dynamic pressure corresponding to that at a stagnant point is generated on the front face of the resistance object, and therefore connecting these two water areas with the pressure water conduit 44 increases the dynamic pressure or kinetic energy representing the pressure difference between the two ends of the pressure water conduit 44, because the negative pressure in the separation area 56 is added to the original dynamic pressure.

[0304] As a result of the above, the energy density of flowing water in the outside field increases, and this increased energy density is utilized according to the dynamic pressure work method.

[0305] In FIG. 9, the reverse advance path is enclosed by the respective materials of the upper roof plate 50, hard path surface, left and right vertical bulkheads, and casing 54, so when a water conduit 55 is formed using these materials sealed against each other, the bottomless cup will lie down 6f even as the continuous belt circulates inside the water conduit 55, resulting in low shape resistance and generation of virtually no additional mass, and the water inside remains immovable and perched.

[0306] However, since the two ends of the water conduit 55 open into the mouths connected to the flow inlet 52 and flow outlet 53, any increase in the pressure difference between these openings will cause the water conduit 55 to create the bypassing effect, resulting in a flow-back of perched water inside and eventually a drop in pressure difference in the pressure water conduit 44, and therefore to prevent the foregoing, air is injected into the water conduit 55 to create an air trap inside the casing 54 located at the highest position so that the perched water inside will be broken into the front part and rear part to block water and pressure fully.

[0307] In FIG. 10, submerging a resistance object 60 of streamlined shape causes high-speed side flows 64 to generate on both side faces of the object, and these high-speed flows are kept from separating by giving the rear of the resistance object a streamlined shape, while they are also guided to a flow outlet 53 along the exterior surface according to the Coanda effect, so that when the flows are jetted from both sides of the flow outlet 53, the slow-moving water present inside will accelerate due to the viscosity of the high-speed jet flows and get suctioned out as entrained flowing water 66, thus generating suction vacuum in the water inside the flow outlet 53 and thereby increasing the energy due to pressure difference.

[0308] Accordingly, a large velocity difference may be created to form a boundary shearing surface 65 as a discontinuous surface receiving viscous shearing stress so as to generate reverse flow or eddy current to increase the negative pressure in the negative pressure area, or the injection angles of side flows may be adjusted to achieve an optimal mixing/dispersion effect so as to change the volume and intensity of entrained water.

[0309] As in the case mentioned earlier, the flow velocity around a vertical, cylindrical column, expressed by V, is calculated by V=2 sin θ, and when the side face has a 0 of 90 degrees, the V becomes twice the flow velocity in the field.

[0310] This means that, when this water flowing at high speed is sandwichingly jetted from both sides of the flow outlet, the shearing force due to viscosity will increase as the flow velocity difference increases.

[0311] Incidentally, the calculations are such that, when twice the flow velocity in the field is added at the flow outlet, the total dynamic pressure becomes three times higher while the energy increases nine times, and consequently more energy than what is achievable with the aforementioned negative pressure area 56 can be obtained.

[0312] Also, the work conversion method based on dynamic pressure is such that when a large power generation load is applied to the common shaft 26, a large torque T acts upon the driving gear to decrease the circulating velocity V of the continuous belt while also decreasing the velocity V of outflow water, and the result is a greater suction vacuum effect.

[0313] This is similar to what happens when utilizing negative pressure through the suction pipe of a reaction-type waterwheel, where the difference is that, while negative pressure is generated by the weight of the water column in the former case, negative pressure is generated by viscosity in the latter case.

[0314] Accordingly, the energy density can be raised even where the flowing water energy is low, which makes this method truly significant as it permits local power generation for local consumption anywhere.

[0315] In FIG. 10, an inflow door 32p forward of the floor plate 32 is made rotatable and its angle of rotation is manipulated to adjust the inflow water volume, where the inflow door 32p is primarily used to adjust the overall balance of a long device layout when adjusting the capacity differences among the individual devices.

[0316] When a long device is installed across a river, the following will become possible, for example: large openings can be provided at both ends away from the mainstream area at the center in order to increase the inflow water volume; when one unit constituting the long device is fully stopped, the other devices are not affected because the one-way clutch 27 of the common shaft 26 is actuated, so the inflow door 32p of the faulty device can be closed or opened halfway to allow a diver to conduct repair inside; or in the case of very stormy weather, the doors before and after the problem part can be closed to protect the continuous belt 17 inside.

[0317] In FIG. 11, the curved surface of the sheet-shaped lead wheel 48 is used to completely block water between the endless chain waterwheel and the surrounding wall surface so as not to generate bypassing water flow inside the sealed water conduit, and because a pressure-receiving member 59 stands on the top face of a sheet-shaped belt 49 to block water on the inside, bypass flow enters between this standing position and the guide roller 31, and therefore the open angle of the inflow door 32p is adjusted to create high-speed inflow water jet and the aforementioned section is covered to prevent bypassing water flow in exactly the opposite direction to the water flowing at high speed.

[0318] As for the flow velocity generating in the pipe as a result of pressure conversion, the flow volume enters through the inflow door provided at the flow inlet and therefore the open angle of the inflow door is adjusted to raise the inflow velocity to create high-speed jet flow; however, the flow volume is far smaller compared to the lift type.

[0319] In addition, the water entering from the bottom face of the bottomless cup due to bypassing flows in exactly the opposite direction to this jet flow, so by using high-speed jet flows to cover this reverse flowing water, the reverse flowing water is suppressed by the jetting force or viscosity and blocked, and by combining this with a means for blocking water on the exterior surface of and inside the sheet-shaped belt, bypassing is prevented. Additionally, while sufficient absorption of flowing water energy has not been possible with the drag type, which uses an open water path to receive flowing water in the outside field, due to overflowing or eddying of the water flowing into the cup, the pressure type does not generate disturbed inflow much even when the intervals of the pressure-receiving members are reduced, because a pressure trap is created and the inflow water volume is small.

[0320] Accordingly, the intervals of these members are reduced to shorten the traveling path, while in the reverse advance path the pressure-receiving members are overlapped with each other, and consequently the distance to be blocked along the aforementioned turning path is shortened.

[0321] Compared to when bypassing is prevented with an air trap, the streamlined shape with a low top plate makes flow separation from the surface difficult.

[0322] In FIG. 11, the back of the pressure-receiving member 59a is pressed by centrifugal force against the rollers 31 provided on the cylindrical inner surface of the water-blocking plate, and the reaction causes the bottom face of the sheet-shaped belt 49 to be pressed against the circular path surface 18 of the lead wheel and therefore water is blocked between the upper and lower projected parts and constricted part, and because coasters 89 are sliding in the traveling groove by blocking the groove and thereby blocking water at both side faces, water is blocked simultaneously between all pressure-receiving members 59 and surrounding wall surfaces.

[0323] On the inside, the action of two-level lead wheels 48w comprising the sheet-shaped lead wheels 48 and tensioners 24 causes the pressure-receiving member 59 to stand on the top face of the sheet-shaped belt 49, blocking the bottom face and thereby blocking water, and therefore the open angle of the inflow door 32p is adjusted to obtain high-speed inflow water jet and the turning path is covered with flowing water film between the guide roller 31 and the point where the bottom face is blocked, to isolate the inner inflow water area.

[0324] It should be noted that the circular path surface of the lead wheel can be made rotatable.

[0325] In addition, the bottom face of the pressure-receiving member at any position indicated by the dotted lines behind the two-level lead wheels 48w in FIG. 10 is completely blocked.

[0326] The inflow door 32p is provided for each individual unit or short device, and it may be closed in a moored state to stop the unit that has become faulty, or all doors may be closed in the event of typhoon to protect the devices inside.

[0327] As for the flow velocity generated in the pipe as a result of pressure conversion, the flow volume enters through the inflow door provided at the flow inlet; however, the flow volume is far lower compared to the lift type.

Industrial Field of Application

[0328] The present invention can be applied to waterwheels installed under flowing water at sea or in lakes, and can be applied as power generation devices.